Keane spot on as Spurs ease past Toffees
TOTTENHAM (2)
EVERTON (0)
TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp challenged David Bentley to prove he deserves to be a regular after the out-of-favour midfielder helped Spurs reach the Carling Cup quarter-finals.
Bentley set up Tom Huddlestone to half-volley the opener, before Robbie Keane added a second, the striker netting a rebound from his own penalty.
It was a welcome boost for Bentley, who has seen Aaron Lennon take his favoured right-wing slot for club and country. But Redknapp warned Bentley he needs to show the right attitude on a more regular basis if the 24-year-old is to become a regular fixture in the side.
“He’s got to play like that and put that effort in,” Redknapp said. “Aaron has played so well, he’s not had the opportunity. His attitude was not as good in training as it could be and I spoke to him about that. He accepts that and is determined to put that right. But he’s a decent boy and was very good against Everton, I was really pleased. When he plays like that he’s a good player.”
Keane hit a post before strike partner Roman Pavlyuchenko showed why he has struggled to earn a start by missing two good chances. Injury-ravaged Everton, meanwhile, tested Heurelho Gomes with a Louis Saha shot that the Spurs goalkeeper had to tip over. Huddlestone broke the deadlock after half an hour when he got on the end of Bentley’s cross.
Everton defender Sylvain Distin gave Keane the perfect opportunity to seal the victory when he brought him down in the 57th minute. Tim Howard saved Keane’s spot-kick, as well as follow-up strikes from Bentley and Gareth Bale, before the Republic of Ireland star finally slammed in at the fourth attempt.